Brookhaven To Host Human Trafficking Workshop
Brookhaven Town will host an educational workshop next month aimed at helping residents better understand human trafficking, how victims are identified and the process of bringing traffickers to justice.
The Town of Brookhaven will host an educational workshop next month aimed at helping residents better understand human trafficking, how victims are identified and the process of bringing traffickers to justice.
The town’s Office of Women’s Services and Women’s Services Advisory Board will present “Human Trafficking 102: Identification to Justice” on Thursday, Sept. 24, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill in Farmingville.
The program will examine how law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, healthcare professionals, survivor advocates and other organizations work together to identify and assist trafficking victims while investigating and prosecuting those responsible.
Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina will serve as the keynote speaker. Catalina is expected to discuss current human trafficking trends, challenges facing law enforcement and the role cooperation among agencies and community organizations plays in combating trafficking.
The event will also feature a panel of officials and advocates involved in anti-trafficking efforts across Suffolk County.
Panelists include Feride Castillo, director and co-founder of ECLI-VIBES; Det. Sgt. James Johnson of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Human Trafficking Investigations Unit; Inv. Sgt. Erin Meunkle of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Anti-Trafficking Initiative; Deputy Unit Chief ADA Vanessa Overland of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s HEAT Unit; and Laura Mullen, a survivor expert, advocate and co-founder of ECLI-VIBES.
Panelists will discuss cases, strategies used by agencies and organizations and ways members of the public can recognize potential signs of human trafficking and respond appropriately.
A question-and-answer session with the panel will conclude the program.
The workshop is open to community members, educators, healthcare workers, social service providers, faith leaders, students and others interested in learning more about human trafficking.
For information or to RSVP, contact Sharon Boyd at 631-451-6146 or womenservices@brookhavenny.gov.
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